GOD – AND COFFEE

I’m sitting at the table in the kitchen nook. The sunshine is streaming in windows as I look out at our small back yard. I love this little corner of our home.

Crazy as it sounds, this little corner is my “retreat”, especially so at this time of the morning.
My three older children left about 15 minutes ago, going to school. My two youngest are still asleep, my husband has gone to class, and I am actually by myself in a quiet house – at least for a few minutes, and I an happy!

After clearing the table of family breakfast debris, my cup of coffee is ready, as I pop a slice of raisin cinnamon bread into the toaster setting on a corner of the table. My notebook, Bible and commentary are opened , taking up most of the space. I managed to squeeze a saucer in (the table is small) and it’s waiting for that toast to butter, then some honey and a slice of cheese. Ah! my breakfast is ready. I take a bite of that delicious toast, a sip of coffee, then open the commentary for the comments on the next scripture in my study on PRAYER. I read the verse, look it up in the commentary, then write the summation of my own thoughts in the notebook. I’m in the process of going through the New Testament doing this. It is rich! I’m learning so much… and simply by writing down my thoughts, they remain more permanent in my mind.

My coffee and toast are about gone (the coffee got a little cool as I was writing, so I had to put it into the microwave for 30 seconds, so I can enjoy it to the end .) I debate about another piece of toast, but hear some noises upstairs. The smaller children are awakening… I quickly pick up my study material and put it up high enough little hands can’t reach it. (This time I use the top of the refrigerator.)

Wiping my hands on my apron, I run up the steep stairway and start my day, praying as I go. I’m going to need His help: I’m so thankful I can talk to Him. . .I wouldn’t make it without these conversations.

Pray without ceasing … talking to the Lord all day. Much better than talking to myself!

Portland, Oregon 1966

Portland, Oregon 2015 49 years later

It’s morning and the apartment is quiet: a sharp contrast to most of my years as wife and mother. My husband didn’t sleep well last night, so he’s getting a little more sleep now. I’ve fixed my morning coffee, am sitting in my rocking chair, my computer on my lap, my journal beside me, and reach for my Portuguese Bible. I’m trying to read the Bible primarily in Portuguese. I want to continue improving in the language – yes. But the best part is that when I read the verses in Portuguese, it gives me an added depth of meaning/ a slightly different slant as I look at the words. I love doing this. I read more slowly, for I’m also learning more of the grammar as I read. I smile as I remember that, in the colonies in the U. S, the children’s reading textbook was the Bible. So my reading textbook in Portuguese is the Bible.

This morning, I go to Ephesians… oh! what a joy to read the promises that Paul states are ours. I still – after all these years – do not have a clear understanding of predestination that Paul writes about. I know the meaning of the word, but have read too many different opinions, and not yet clearly formed mine. Which is ok…

I’ve learned that reading the Bible is like peeling an onion. One understands (removes the skin) of the first layer, then returns and reads the same passage again, and one glimpses another depth (removes the second layer) then discovers more still there!

One of the facts of reading God’s Word is – every time I read it – I learn something new. I smile – after all these years, I’m still peeling that onion.

Comfort, strength, security, challenge – always something new. And now, I have Bible versions on my Smart Phone, so I can read the Bible at night in the dark if I wake up. Reading it quiets my mind, giving me rest.

The stability I have in my life – through all of the times of hecticness, joy, grief, laughter, beauty, weariness, change after change after change . . . the stability comes from God’s Word (His love letter to me) and the privelege of conversing with Him, day or night.

Thanks,Bill… I’ve learned that He is my key to survival – and a joyous survival most of the time.

I can relate. I live my mornings in the word. Keep on!

Voni

Tomya, it sounds like we can relate in more than one area. I love your idea of pictures every Sunday. What a neat idea for uniting the family! Blessings – and looking forward to more communication. And I would not make it without Him!

Some verses in proverbs speak a lot.

Voni

Yes, they do! The more I read Proverbs the more I learn. I’ve been reading that book now for – oh my! I started reading it every day back in 1977! and I still do – Sometimes I stop – but then I go back to it. There is an undergirding of wisdom there that is unbelievable! 31 chapters – 31 days in the month. So I read the chapter that matches the same date of the month. And do you mark the date beside the verse when you find a promise in the Bible?????

I would like to know more about how to use Ps. 23 as an antibiotic. I need to cleanse out the yuckiness left behind from my husband’s sins.

Voni

Brenda – I will write that out and send it to you. I will also write a post about it – In the meantime, go back and read about the day my life ended… then what I wrote about forgiveness, bitterness, thanksgiving. They, also, are essentials to cleaning out the junk!!!
Blessings on you!

jennifer chapman

I am having a cup of coffee now as I read this. Thinking about you, Lanae, and the family. Giving thanks for the happy times and richness you all brought to my life and praying for blessing upon blessing for you. Mostly praying for comfort and strength for you all at this time. Thanks for sharing here in your righting. I so enjoy it!

Voni

Jen – you will always be a part of our lives. As God put us together, He changed all of us. . . and the ties are strong. Appreciate you mucn, and your encouraging comments.
Keep praying for Lanae, please. This is a difficult and lonely walk: God makes the difference. But there are still many tears.
Love you!